Frank Bodani: Penn State's success under Franklin could hinge on these players

Penn State wide receiver Eugene Lewis is turned upside down while scoring a touchdown against Syracuse in August. Lewis is poised to step into the No. 1 receiver role last season by All-American Allen Robinson. (File — Daily Record/Sunday News)

Penn State linebacker Nyeem Wartman puts pressure on Purdue quarterback Danny Etling during a November game. Wartman will be counted on to step up this season to bolster the Nittany Lions' thin linebacking corps. (File — Daily Record/Sunday News)

A preview to James Franklin's first season at Penn State is a week away.

This upcoming month of spring practice will be the first chance for Franklin and his new staff to coach their players full-time. And only now will the players truly start learning what it's like to play for them.

So, it's a pretty important audition, no matter that the season is still more than five months away.

Especially for a few Lions in particular.

Who are your breakout players for 2014? Who must finally prove himself and live up to potential? Whose progress is absolutely critical to the team?

All of those answers will begin being worked on March 17 through the Blue-White Game on April 12.

It will be about players who, seemingly, could go either way. The guys who could blossom into stars or simply blend in, tread water, disappoint.

The focus this spring should be on:

1. Deion Barnes

Unfortunately, the Freshman All-American was prophetic when talking to reporters last March: "If I have a bad game (in 2013) people will be like, 'What happened to Deion? He's not the same. Is he in a sophomore slump or something?'"

We're still not sure what actually did happen to Barnes.

After impressing with six sacks and 10 tackles for loss in 2012, his production dropped to only two sacks and four TFLs last season.

Advertisement

So how will the new staff use him now? Is he big enough, strong enough for his role in the Big Ten? Of most importance is how Barnes learns and adjusts from his struggles last season.

2. Brandon Bell and Nyeem Wartman

Both young linebackers must step up and stay healthy at arguably the thinnest position on the team, though one of the most important.

Talk to Frank

York Daily Record/Sunday News reporter Frank Bodani talks Penn State football with readers every Monday night.

Coming off injury — but still carrying a ton of potential — Wartman simply wasn't an impact player on the field last year as he was expected to be. However, after Bell was promoted from special teams he turned heads in last season's final two games, making six tackles in each. His quarterback hit also produced a key interception in the upset at Wisconsin.

Now, Wartman and Bell must become starter material in August. The Lions have only seven linebackers on scholarship, but two are true freshmen (Troy Reeder, Jason Cabinda) and another is coming off two surgeries (Dallastown's Ben Kline).

3. Eugene Lewis

Like Bell, this (redshirt) freshman impressed at season's end, which now sets the stage for replacing All-American Allen Robinson.

Penn State defensive end Anthony Zettel runs past Michigan's Michael Schofield after intercepting a pass during a game in October. Zettel was a force in bigger moments last season, including the Lions' four-overtime win against Michigan. (File — Daily Record/Sunday News)

Lewis does seem ready to take that crucial step to become the team's new No. 1 receiver.

The thing is, sometimes the added pressure and attention, as well as injuries, get in the way of projections (e.g. Freddie Scott, Eddie Drummond, Tony Johnson).

Meanwhile, Lewis will be pushed by four talented true freshmen.

4. Andrew Nelson and Chasz Wright

Incredibly, the Lions have only one returning offensive tackle who played last year: Donovan Smith. That's not good. Plus, freshmen aren't typically counted on to provide big help here, either.

Fortunately, Nelson, from Hershey, was praised for last year's work as a redshirt and Wright benefits from a year of prep school and owns a workable frame (6-foot-7, 270 pounds).

The only alternatives at left tackle are true freshmen arriving this summer or moving a more experienced lineman from another position.

5. Anthony Zettel

If anyone seems primed for a true breakout season, it's the junior from Michigan. He made noise as a rookie with some impressive garbage-time sacks. Though still not an every-down player last year, he was a force in bigger moments, especially vs. Michigan.

The next level is waiting for him.

And the first audition begins next week.

Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the Daily Record/Sunday News. Reach him at 771-2104, fbodani@ydr.com or @YDRPennState.

Central Florida running back William Stanback just evades Penn State's defensive players Deion Barnes, 18, and DaQuan Jones in September. Barnes struggled last season after being named a Freshman All-American a year earlier. (File — Daily Record/Sunday News)

ODESSA, Texas (AP) — A West Texas man has been charged with impersonating an officer by using sirens and flashing lights to skip to the head of the drive-thru line at a fast-food restaurant. Full Story

Sufjan Stevens, "Carrie & Lowell" (Asthmatic Kitty) Plucked strings and pulsing keyboards dominate the distinctive arrangements on Sufjan Stevens' latest album, and in the absence of a rhythm section, they serve to keep time. Full Story